Project Warbird's LB-30

Cvairwerks · **Posted:** Sat May 03, 2025 7:03 pm

Looks like Eric Miller has most, if not all of his LB-30, AL557, home in South Carolina now. The wings were transported from Colorado to SC over the last couple of days. Go Eric Go...

DH82EH · **Posted:** Sat May 03, 2025 9:56 pm

Amazing project

JohnB · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2025 1:12 am

With all due respect to the owner and any volunteers...

Anyone have a good assessment on how viable of project this is?
In other words, is it something that might be completed in the near future?
Or is it something that can only be done with a "Doc" level of community support or "Champaign. Lady" / "Desert Rat" degree of fabrication?

tulsaboy · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2025 8:57 am

I've been following it on Facebook, where they post pretty regularly about it. They have a fairly complete airplane, with (it looks like) almost all of the major airframe components. They have been gathering smaller bits, identifying exactly what they need and then posting as they acquire them. It's pretty neat to watch, actually. They have already started replacing skins on the nose section. Should be neat to watch, especially if it does result in another flying B-24. Given the uncertain future of the Collings' B-24, it's nice that there is hope for another example to get in the air, even if it takes a decade or so.
kevin

Cvairwerks · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2025 8:59 am

I haven't seen her in person, but from the photos that I have seen, I would say somewhere between having a complete but disassembled project and the level of Desert Rat. He's certainly got more to start with than I have with my Fairchild.

Pogmusic · **Posted:** Tue May 06, 2025 1:15 pm

I tried searching for their FB page. Can someone post the link?

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Tue May 06, 2025 1:29 pm

Pogmusic wrote:

I tried searching for their FB page. Can someone post the link?

https://www.facebook.com/ProjectWarbirdSalvage

http://www.projectwarbird.com

DH82EH · **Posted:** Tue May 06, 2025 7:10 pm

Thanks for posting that link Chris.

Andy

quemerford · **Joined:** Tue Jun 17, 2014 4:19 pm **Posts:** 1583

I'm hoping this will be a static restoration, keeping as much original material as possible. Anyone know either way?

Pogmusic · **Posted:** Wed May 07, 2025 8:06 am

Thanks!

Cvairwerks · **Posted:** Wed May 07, 2025 8:17 am

quemerford wrote:

I'm hoping this will be a static restoration, keeping as much original material as possible. Anyone know either way?

Believe the intent is to make her a flyer, keeping as much original as possible.

menards · **Joined:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 12:46 pm **Posts:** 543

Are many PB4Y parts compatible with the B-24/LB30?

JimH · **Posted:** Thu May 08, 2025 1:17 pm

This is a monumental project. The B-24 is a highly complex airframe to rebuild, particulary the wing structure. It's the P-47 of bombers. I'd say 15 years...and I would happily eat crow if I'm wrong. The Urbana Ohio B-17 made huge strides early on, with a solid work force, but work slowed to a crawl when they started the wings. It'll be awesome to watch it finally get rebuilt. When we were giving rides out of Ft. Love in Colorado I'd always route Witchcraft over Ft. Collins to see if it was still there...then one year, it was gone...I'm glad it went to a good home.

Jim

JohnH · **Posted:** Fri May 09, 2025 7:22 pm

menards wrote:

Are many PB4Y parts compatible with the B-24/LB30?

I asked an expert , answer is yes to PB4Y/B24, not sure on LB30.

menards · **Joined:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 12:46 pm **Posts:** 543

JohnH wrote:

menards wrote:

Are many PB4Y parts compatible with the B-24/LB30?

I asked an expert , answer is yes to PB4Y/B24, not sure on LB30.

It appears that the LB-30 Mark II is a little different that Diamond Lil, with some design changes. but its still earlier design that a B-24D. Pictures of this bird when a wreck showed it more together than it is now. Was it cut up for recovery?

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